__ Sandayu nodded slightly after hearing the whole of Masato's answer. He seemed content with just that much said, but it wasn't fair to expect everything from someone who did not fully understand the depth and importance of the Code's first and most important verse. "I see. Well, that is fine. However, let me tell you what it means to me." He lowered one hand back to his side and gestured simply as he continued to speak, "Peace is a lie, both literally and metaphorically. It doesn't truly exist, nor can it ever be attained. Those who believe they have peace are merely short-sighed and foolishly complacent. Life is chaotic and ever-changing- always adapting. Peace blinds all from their evolution and prevents them from reaching their truest potential." He paused for several seconds so Masato could soak in his brother's version of this philosophy. "Therefore, those who seek peace or cling to it lack true ambition. They lack the passion needed to survive the chaotic world that does not cease to exist around them. They lack the resolve to protect what they hold dear." Sandayu's gesturing hand closed into a tensed fist as he reaffirmed his own passion in reflection of the loss of Tengakure and the Iga clan. "Do you understand my perspective, brother?" He was not going to hold it against Masato, but his reply from a moment ago still seemed to cling to a notion of peace. "Is there anything you want to add to your previous answers?" Masato was clearly not great with verbally expressing himself, and that too was fine. However, these weren't concepts that could be casually approached. They required focus and... passion for them to be meaningful or of any value. For Masato's sake, he'd say as much as was needed. Exercising his voice to such an extent was very tedious, but there was no one else alive to offer Masato these teachings.
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Sandayu would nod, absorbing his brother's words. He would take this as a moment to pass on his knowledge and understanding. His brother's vocabulary was beyond Masato, at least he could understand it...but never use it. " I agree. Peace is beyond man." He nodded, settling in the conversation. He would pause as Sandayu's question continued. " I do. As long as any part of me desires peace I will not be be able to continue. I replace my desire for peace I have known with devotion to my own desires."
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_β [ S+ Rank ] Moeru TamashΔ« [ Burning Soul ] ____β Masato uses his elemental affinity for fire to turn it inward on himself rather than striking out at opponents. Increasing his body temperature to burn away the remaining fats in his body and increase his physical abilities. Additionally, the increase in temperature tempers his muscles and loosens them for their maximum usage. When this is performed, Masato's reflexes, strength and speed are supremely increased while contacting his body physically causes scalding third degree burns and leave painful blisters. This temperature may be sustained for six posts before it is released harmlessly around the user. _β [ Null Rank ] Kaimon [ Gate of Opening ] ____β Once the user has trained to access the first gate, they may begin training in the first "move" within the Eight Celestial Gates formation. The effects of the first gate itself are not all that extreme in that they provide the user with a moderate increase to their strength, speed, and reflexes. Once the effects of the first gate wear off the user experiences moderate pain from hyper activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This pain forces them to lose 1 activation due to the pain. _β [ B Rank ] Shotgun Fist ____β The user flows chakra into their fist, allowing it to form a dense orb around the fist. Shifting with all of their weight and power the user throws a punch, allowing 6 of these fist-sized chakra orbs to fly off like projectiles. Due to the lack of mass to the chakra orbs, they fly at a greatly increased speed, roughly 3x the speed of the user's punch impacting at the strength of a twice the user's punch. These orbs can travel thirty meters before dissipating. Due to the versatility of strike, the user can impact one person with multiple targets, or impact up to three people so long as their are in one direction from the user.
_β β’ Berserker Discipline _β :Your external training and devotion to taijutsu has allowed you to have moderately increased Strength and Fortitude. _β Your hardened body allows you to mitigate the pain/status effect of an incoming attack for two post per body rank, allowing you to continue the fight until the pain or hazards settle in. _βFurthermore, if lethal damage is suffered then the delaying ability will be nullified for that effect. β’ Brawler Discipline _βYour Speed and Reflexes are moderately enhanced. _β You gain an additional 2 ninjutsu slots per rank. β’ Taijutsu Specialization _β Start with an additional Taijutsu _β All Locked Formless are treated as Complex for interactions with other techniques. β’ "The Good Host" PA x2 _β Implant Chakra Cost Requirements Γ· 2 β’ "Masato Smash" PA _β Masato gains an additional Taijutsu Style. β’ "Adaptive Nature" PA _β Masato gains an additional 2 Custom Slots β’ "Melee Prodigy" PA _β While the eyes of the user are active, every other rank of the eyes (1 tomoe, 3 tomoe, eternal), a slight reflex boost is conferred. β’ "Unity of Ninshuu" PA _β The study of Ninshuu Masato has embarked upon unifies him with those around him. Any religious missions completed with another individual count towards collaboration training with that individual equal to the posts done to complete the mission.
PassiveEffects: _β Enlightenment ___β The user is now slightly more skilled at just about everything. Striking, blocking, moving, absorbing, and taking damage. ___β The user's strength and fortitude is increased heavily. _β Shooter Stance ___β Any techniques from this Style gain a mild strength boost per mastered stage if used while in this stance. _β Upgraded Caliber ___β When in the shooter stance, the strength of their strikes is increased moderately instead of mildly. _β Magnum ___β Grants a slight striking speed increase per mastered stage of this style. _β Designated Marksman ___β Allows offensive techniques to be Complex, sending dense chakra orbs from their fists to extend their impacting range as well as allowing them to now "punch" ninjutsu. The chakra orbs will hit with 2x the strength of their normal punch, and travel at 2x the speed of their punch for 30 meters. _β Whirlwind Training ___β The user trains to be better suited to dealing with the shock of landing and training the muscles of their legs and arms. ___β Raises the base level of the user's speed by one descriptive rank per learned stage of this Style. ___β These descriptive ranks cannot be drained by the techniques in this Style. _β Switchblade Training ___β The user may switch directions when landing a flip, allowing for one to flip backwards and then forwards and vice versa without a moment's hesitation. ___β May use up to one technique per post that would lower the descriptive ranks affecting their speed without suffering that reduction. _β Perfecting Balance ___β Balance and endurance are increased, allowing them to run faster than the average person without losing their balance. ___β Every Soft Physical Formless technique used confers one descriptive rank of speed to the user for the duration of the fight. ___β Attempts to throw the user off-balance that are of a lower rank than the userβs highest trained rank in the Soft Physical Formless Style automatically fail to do so. _β Advanced Whirlwind Training ___β The userβs reflexes gain any and all bonuses afforded to their speed. _β Manriki Burabura [ Weighted Swing ] ___β Simple techniques in this Style and related Formless techniques are treated as Complex. _β Kikkyo [ Diligence ] ___β The maximum speed for all techniques in this Style at one rank lower than the highest trained rank of the practitionerβs Hard Physical Formless Style. _β Oni no Nigiri [ Ogre's Grip ] ___β The user needs only a single hand to wield their massive weapon. When wielding it with two hands, techniques from this Style that consume an extra activation when used above the user's body rank do not do so. _β Bounetsu no Jutsu [ Flame-Resistance Technique ] ___βProtects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand increasing amounts of heat. _β Teikou no Kuntou [ Electrical Resistance Training ] ___β Protects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand mild currents. _β Botany Journeyman ___β -1 post to the D - Rank and the A - Rank missions. _β Sage of Ninshuu ___β -2 posts to the A - Rank and the S - Rank missions. ___β Converts the S - Rank mission's Korabo effects to combine chakra and stamina pools together for all linked persons forever. ___β Reduces ability to Kai out of genjutsu by 1 rank and raises chakra cost of Kai by an additional rank. ___β Genjutsu affects all that are sharing. _β ANBU Shadow | Tactician ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β By Concentrating, Tactician can gain information of one known technique per post of concentration automatically draining A Rank chakra/ stamina. ___β Can alter origin point of projectile techniques by 3 meters per rank [ 12 meters ] _β Doctor | Emergency Specialist ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β May retrain techniques to decrease sustainment cost to E Rank minimum.
__"Very good." Masato seemed to understand things well enough. It was no large concern that he expressed his comprehension so simply. "Although, I am certain that not just humans lack the affinity for peace. Nature is also chaos, if you pay attention to it. I'm sure deities like Evergreen, our mother, are also fallible to the paths of chaos and order." Sandayu was just trying to ensure that his brother wasn't too closed-minded about these creeds. "Moving on. Through passion I gain strength. Besides considering that passion is necessary to seek and harness your strength, what does that line mean to you? What is strength?" The next part of the lesson was again expressed in question. He knew that he was probably making Masato a little uncomfortable with this approach, but not everything had to be understood through one's fists. Enabling that would not help Masato truly grow into his own birthrights.
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" Mother..." he said, seeing clearly where her affinity lied. She was chaos. She had tried to absorb her children in order to gain power. She was clearly ripe with the passion that Sandayu spoke of, yearning for strength. He would reflect on his internalization of the idea. He knew strength. " Strength is simple. The ability to overwhelm and overcome those who oppose you as well as internal resolve." He clenched his fist, placing his left hand on the tightened muscle on his right forearm. " Without the passion and desire for advancing, one is unable to wield their strength towards any purpose."
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_β [ S+ Rank ] Moeru TamashΔ« [ Burning Soul ] ____β Masato uses his elemental affinity for fire to turn it inward on himself rather than striking out at opponents. Increasing his body temperature to burn away the remaining fats in his body and increase his physical abilities. Additionally, the increase in temperature tempers his muscles and loosens them for their maximum usage. When this is performed, Masato's reflexes, strength and speed are supremely increased while contacting his body physically causes scalding third degree burns and leave painful blisters. This temperature may be sustained for six posts before it is released harmlessly around the user. _β [ Null Rank ] Kaimon [ Gate of Opening ] ____β Once the user has trained to access the first gate, they may begin training in the first "move" within the Eight Celestial Gates formation. The effects of the first gate itself are not all that extreme in that they provide the user with a moderate increase to their strength, speed, and reflexes. Once the effects of the first gate wear off the user experiences moderate pain from hyper activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This pain forces them to lose 1 activation due to the pain. _β [ B Rank ] Shotgun Fist ____β The user flows chakra into their fist, allowing it to form a dense orb around the fist. Shifting with all of their weight and power the user throws a punch, allowing 6 of these fist-sized chakra orbs to fly off like projectiles. Due to the lack of mass to the chakra orbs, they fly at a greatly increased speed, roughly 3x the speed of the user's punch impacting at the strength of a twice the user's punch. These orbs can travel thirty meters before dissipating. Due to the versatility of strike, the user can impact one person with multiple targets, or impact up to three people so long as their are in one direction from the user.
_β β’ Berserker Discipline _β :Your external training and devotion to taijutsu has allowed you to have moderately increased Strength and Fortitude. _β Your hardened body allows you to mitigate the pain/status effect of an incoming attack for two post per body rank, allowing you to continue the fight until the pain or hazards settle in. _βFurthermore, if lethal damage is suffered then the delaying ability will be nullified for that effect. β’ Brawler Discipline _βYour Speed and Reflexes are moderately enhanced. _β You gain an additional 2 ninjutsu slots per rank. β’ Taijutsu Specialization _β Start with an additional Taijutsu _β All Locked Formless are treated as Complex for interactions with other techniques. β’ "The Good Host" PA x2 _β Implant Chakra Cost Requirements Γ· 2 β’ "Masato Smash" PA _β Masato gains an additional Taijutsu Style. β’ "Adaptive Nature" PA _β Masato gains an additional 2 Custom Slots β’ "Melee Prodigy" PA _β While the eyes of the user are active, every other rank of the eyes (1 tomoe, 3 tomoe, eternal), a slight reflex boost is conferred. β’ "Unity of Ninshuu" PA _β The study of Ninshuu Masato has embarked upon unifies him with those around him. Any religious missions completed with another individual count towards collaboration training with that individual equal to the posts done to complete the mission.
PassiveEffects: _β Enlightenment ___β The user is now slightly more skilled at just about everything. Striking, blocking, moving, absorbing, and taking damage. ___β The user's strength and fortitude is increased heavily. _β Shooter Stance ___β Any techniques from this Style gain a mild strength boost per mastered stage if used while in this stance. _β Upgraded Caliber ___β When in the shooter stance, the strength of their strikes is increased moderately instead of mildly. _β Magnum ___β Grants a slight striking speed increase per mastered stage of this style. _β Designated Marksman ___β Allows offensive techniques to be Complex, sending dense chakra orbs from their fists to extend their impacting range as well as allowing them to now "punch" ninjutsu. The chakra orbs will hit with 2x the strength of their normal punch, and travel at 2x the speed of their punch for 30 meters. _β Whirlwind Training ___β The user trains to be better suited to dealing with the shock of landing and training the muscles of their legs and arms. ___β Raises the base level of the user's speed by one descriptive rank per learned stage of this Style. ___β These descriptive ranks cannot be drained by the techniques in this Style. _β Switchblade Training ___β The user may switch directions when landing a flip, allowing for one to flip backwards and then forwards and vice versa without a moment's hesitation. ___β May use up to one technique per post that would lower the descriptive ranks affecting their speed without suffering that reduction. _β Perfecting Balance ___β Balance and endurance are increased, allowing them to run faster than the average person without losing their balance. ___β Every Soft Physical Formless technique used confers one descriptive rank of speed to the user for the duration of the fight. ___β Attempts to throw the user off-balance that are of a lower rank than the userβs highest trained rank in the Soft Physical Formless Style automatically fail to do so. _β Advanced Whirlwind Training ___β The userβs reflexes gain any and all bonuses afforded to their speed. _β Manriki Burabura [ Weighted Swing ] ___β Simple techniques in this Style and related Formless techniques are treated as Complex. _β Kikkyo [ Diligence ] ___β The maximum speed for all techniques in this Style at one rank lower than the highest trained rank of the practitionerβs Hard Physical Formless Style. _β Oni no Nigiri [ Ogre's Grip ] ___β The user needs only a single hand to wield their massive weapon. When wielding it with two hands, techniques from this Style that consume an extra activation when used above the user's body rank do not do so. _β Bounetsu no Jutsu [ Flame-Resistance Technique ] ___βProtects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand increasing amounts of heat. _β Teikou no Kuntou [ Electrical Resistance Training ] ___β Protects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand mild currents. _β Botany Journeyman ___β -1 post to the D - Rank and the A - Rank missions. _β Sage of Ninshuu ___β -2 posts to the A - Rank and the S - Rank missions. ___β Converts the S - Rank mission's Korabo effects to combine chakra and stamina pools together for all linked persons forever. ___β Reduces ability to Kai out of genjutsu by 1 rank and raises chakra cost of Kai by an additional rank. ___β Genjutsu affects all that are sharing. _β ANBU Shadow | Tactician ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β By Concentrating, Tactician can gain information of one known technique per post of concentration automatically draining A Rank chakra/ stamina. ___β Can alter origin point of projectile techniques by 3 meters per rank [ 12 meters ] _β Doctor | Emergency Specialist ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β May retrain techniques to decrease sustainment cost to E Rank minimum.
__ Sandayu wondered if Masato had taken much, if any, time to actually think about their heritage. He seemed to be shouldering so much reservation with just that brief mention of Evergreen. 'Simple. Haah...' He thought to himself with an inner sigh as Masato proceeded to answer with such confidence. "Well, you're at least mostly right, so that is good." He shrugged and shook his head a little having said this after Masato finished speaking. "If anything, Strength is a measure of your ability to harness your potential. What you said about overwhelming and overcoming are examples of utilizing your strength- also known as... Power." Sandayu paused for a breath and continued, "You're getting a little ahead of yourself, brother, but like I said you are mostly right. Strength does define your resolve and it is only achieved through your passion." He rubbed his chin for a moment, contemplating on how to better elaborate on the topic of strength. "Say, Masato. If one of your friends or old comrades were to appear right now and gave you good reason to return to Uzushio. Would you?" As this was a topic of willpower, he figured he'd make an example of Strength by testing Masato with a harmless hypothetical question. Honestly, Sandayu didn't even care if Masato said he would go. That was his choice, and Sanda knew that he'd learn from that mistake in due time as well.
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His brother's praise was good, Masato had at least a basic understanding of the lesson. He would continue, trying to seperate the notion of strength and power to Masato. His eyes would widen slightly as his brow furrowed at the question. Unease settled in his stomach as he thought of facing his allies. Taylor's image flashed in his head then Zhi's. He recalled how upset the young azure haired woman was with herself. He felt...guilt. He questioned why he felt the guilt...after several moments of pause he would speak. "Returning to the village means my advancement ends. There is no more room for me to grow there. " He withheld his feelings, knowing his guilt stemmed from being too weak to withstand Kagami's genjutsu. His heart thudded slightly faster as the anger he felt flooded his being once again. " I would not." Even if it meant separating from his friends, he would not be weak. Not again.
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_β [ S+ Rank ] Moeru TamashΔ« [ Burning Soul ] ____β Masato uses his elemental affinity for fire to turn it inward on himself rather than striking out at opponents. Increasing his body temperature to burn away the remaining fats in his body and increase his physical abilities. Additionally, the increase in temperature tempers his muscles and loosens them for their maximum usage. When this is performed, Masato's reflexes, strength and speed are supremely increased while contacting his body physically causes scalding third degree burns and leave painful blisters. This temperature may be sustained for six posts before it is released harmlessly around the user. _β [ Null Rank ] Kaimon [ Gate of Opening ] ____β Once the user has trained to access the first gate, they may begin training in the first "move" within the Eight Celestial Gates formation. The effects of the first gate itself are not all that extreme in that they provide the user with a moderate increase to their strength, speed, and reflexes. Once the effects of the first gate wear off the user experiences moderate pain from hyper activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This pain forces them to lose 1 activation due to the pain. _β [ B Rank ] Shotgun Fist ____β The user flows chakra into their fist, allowing it to form a dense orb around the fist. Shifting with all of their weight and power the user throws a punch, allowing 6 of these fist-sized chakra orbs to fly off like projectiles. Due to the lack of mass to the chakra orbs, they fly at a greatly increased speed, roughly 3x the speed of the user's punch impacting at the strength of a twice the user's punch. These orbs can travel thirty meters before dissipating. Due to the versatility of strike, the user can impact one person with multiple targets, or impact up to three people so long as their are in one direction from the user.
_β β’ Berserker Discipline _β :Your external training and devotion to taijutsu has allowed you to have moderately increased Strength and Fortitude. _β Your hardened body allows you to mitigate the pain/status effect of an incoming attack for two post per body rank, allowing you to continue the fight until the pain or hazards settle in. _βFurthermore, if lethal damage is suffered then the delaying ability will be nullified for that effect. β’ Brawler Discipline _βYour Speed and Reflexes are moderately enhanced. _β You gain an additional 2 ninjutsu slots per rank. β’ Taijutsu Specialization _β Start with an additional Taijutsu _β All Locked Formless are treated as Complex for interactions with other techniques. β’ "The Good Host" PA x2 _β Implant Chakra Cost Requirements Γ· 2 β’ "Masato Smash" PA _β Masato gains an additional Taijutsu Style. β’ "Adaptive Nature" PA _β Masato gains an additional 2 Custom Slots β’ "Melee Prodigy" PA _β While the eyes of the user are active, every other rank of the eyes (1 tomoe, 3 tomoe, eternal), a slight reflex boost is conferred. β’ "Unity of Ninshuu" PA _β The study of Ninshuu Masato has embarked upon unifies him with those around him. Any religious missions completed with another individual count towards collaboration training with that individual equal to the posts done to complete the mission.
PassiveEffects: _β Enlightenment ___β The user is now slightly more skilled at just about everything. Striking, blocking, moving, absorbing, and taking damage. ___β The user's strength and fortitude is increased heavily. _β Shooter Stance ___β Any techniques from this Style gain a mild strength boost per mastered stage if used while in this stance. _β Upgraded Caliber ___β When in the shooter stance, the strength of their strikes is increased moderately instead of mildly. _β Magnum ___β Grants a slight striking speed increase per mastered stage of this style. _β Designated Marksman ___β Allows offensive techniques to be Complex, sending dense chakra orbs from their fists to extend their impacting range as well as allowing them to now "punch" ninjutsu. The chakra orbs will hit with 2x the strength of their normal punch, and travel at 2x the speed of their punch for 30 meters. _β Whirlwind Training ___β The user trains to be better suited to dealing with the shock of landing and training the muscles of their legs and arms. ___β Raises the base level of the user's speed by one descriptive rank per learned stage of this Style. ___β These descriptive ranks cannot be drained by the techniques in this Style. _β Switchblade Training ___β The user may switch directions when landing a flip, allowing for one to flip backwards and then forwards and vice versa without a moment's hesitation. ___β May use up to one technique per post that would lower the descriptive ranks affecting their speed without suffering that reduction. _β Perfecting Balance ___β Balance and endurance are increased, allowing them to run faster than the average person without losing their balance. ___β Every Soft Physical Formless technique used confers one descriptive rank of speed to the user for the duration of the fight. ___β Attempts to throw the user off-balance that are of a lower rank than the userβs highest trained rank in the Soft Physical Formless Style automatically fail to do so. _β Advanced Whirlwind Training ___β The userβs reflexes gain any and all bonuses afforded to their speed. _β Manriki Burabura [ Weighted Swing ] ___β Simple techniques in this Style and related Formless techniques are treated as Complex. _β Kikkyo [ Diligence ] ___β The maximum speed for all techniques in this Style at one rank lower than the highest trained rank of the practitionerβs Hard Physical Formless Style. _β Oni no Nigiri [ Ogre's Grip ] ___β The user needs only a single hand to wield their massive weapon. When wielding it with two hands, techniques from this Style that consume an extra activation when used above the user's body rank do not do so. _β Bounetsu no Jutsu [ Flame-Resistance Technique ] ___βProtects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand increasing amounts of heat. _β Teikou no Kuntou [ Electrical Resistance Training ] ___β Protects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand mild currents. _β Botany Journeyman ___β -1 post to the D - Rank and the A - Rank missions. _β Sage of Ninshuu ___β -2 posts to the A - Rank and the S - Rank missions. ___β Converts the S - Rank mission's Korabo effects to combine chakra and stamina pools together for all linked persons forever. ___β Reduces ability to Kai out of genjutsu by 1 rank and raises chakra cost of Kai by an additional rank. ___β Genjutsu affects all that are sharing. _β ANBU Shadow | Tactician ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β By Concentrating, Tactician can gain information of one known technique per post of concentration automatically draining A Rank chakra/ stamina. ___β Can alter origin point of projectile techniques by 3 meters per rank [ 12 meters ] _β Doctor | Emergency Specialist ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β May retrain techniques to decrease sustainment cost to E Rank minimum.
__ This was interesting. There was an obvious amount of hesitance as he considered how he would approach such a situation. 'I was pretty vague on purpose with this one. He seems to have a strength of resolve, but I cannot test him with words alone.' Sandayu's expression became slightly more stern with Masato's claim that he would not return to join his previous allies. "You do understand that it is possible you may have to fight them by remaining here with me to finish your training, right? In fact, it is inevitable that Kagami or myself will be on the battlefield with them. I have a feeling your bonds may be deeper than you let yourself believe, but only time will tell..." Sanda wasn't one to pull punches, and this was especially true for his family. It wasn't that he doubted his brother, but he expected Masato to dig much deeper and be honest with himself.
He simply shrugged after saying his peace on that topic and decided it was time to move on. The next creed was undeniably the peak of the whole Code. It defined what limits, or lack thereof, of one's victories may have. "Through strength, I gain power. You already know at least half of this. I would not underestimate it by claiming it to also be simple, as you though strength to be." He pointed at Masato for a moment and issued his questions, "So, brother, what is power to you? What is its purpose in your life?" In some ways, yes, the topic of power was actually simple and so far he had little reason to expect Masato to go into much depth about it. However, he also hoped that his brother's obsession with his weakness would help him understand it that much more clearly.
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It became very real to Masato. This decision he had made. It would eventually pit him against his allies. His friends. He looked away, yielding to the pain that would come with that battle. " I can't say it would be easy...but yes. I know this will happen." When that day came, Masato would steel himself for the heartache that he could cause. His question of power would come. Masato would answer this by looking over his shoulder back to the sea. With the arm nearest the water he would raise it to soulder's length, flicking his fingers upward. With the flick of his wrist, and an exertion of his physical might as he broke loose the third gate, the water as far as the eye could see would split in two. As the pressure resided, allowing the water to reform, Masato turned to his brother again. " Power...comes from strength. The more strength I have. The more power I can have over a situation. Power over others. The power to destroy."
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_β [ S+ Rank ] Moeru TamashΔ« [ Burning Soul ] ____β Masato uses his elemental affinity for fire to turn it inward on himself rather than striking out at opponents. Increasing his body temperature to burn away the remaining fats in his body and increase his physical abilities. Additionally, the increase in temperature tempers his muscles and loosens them for their maximum usage. When this is performed, Masato's reflexes, strength and speed are supremely increased while contacting his body physically causes scalding third degree burns and leave painful blisters. This temperature may be sustained for six posts before it is released harmlessly around the user. _β [ Null Rank ] Kaimon [ Gate of Opening ] ____β Once the user has trained to access the first gate, they may begin training in the first "move" within the Eight Celestial Gates formation. The effects of the first gate itself are not all that extreme in that they provide the user with a moderate increase to their strength, speed, and reflexes. Once the effects of the first gate wear off the user experiences moderate pain from hyper activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This pain forces them to lose 1 activation due to the pain. _β [ B Rank ] Shotgun Fist ____β The user flows chakra into their fist, allowing it to form a dense orb around the fist. Shifting with all of their weight and power the user throws a punch, allowing 6 of these fist-sized chakra orbs to fly off like projectiles. Due to the lack of mass to the chakra orbs, they fly at a greatly increased speed, roughly 3x the speed of the user's punch impacting at the strength of a twice the user's punch. These orbs can travel thirty meters before dissipating. Due to the versatility of strike, the user can impact one person with multiple targets, or impact up to three people so long as their are in one direction from the user.
_β β’ Berserker Discipline _β :Your external training and devotion to taijutsu has allowed you to have moderately increased Strength and Fortitude. _β Your hardened body allows you to mitigate the pain/status effect of an incoming attack for two post per body rank, allowing you to continue the fight until the pain or hazards settle in. _βFurthermore, if lethal damage is suffered then the delaying ability will be nullified for that effect. β’ Brawler Discipline _βYour Speed and Reflexes are moderately enhanced. _β You gain an additional 2 ninjutsu slots per rank. β’ Taijutsu Specialization _β Start with an additional Taijutsu _β All Locked Formless are treated as Complex for interactions with other techniques. β’ "The Good Host" PA x2 _β Implant Chakra Cost Requirements Γ· 2 β’ "Masato Smash" PA _β Masato gains an additional Taijutsu Style. β’ "Adaptive Nature" PA _β Masato gains an additional 2 Custom Slots β’ "Melee Prodigy" PA _β While the eyes of the user are active, every other rank of the eyes (1 tomoe, 3 tomoe, eternal), a slight reflex boost is conferred. β’ "Unity of Ninshuu" PA _β The study of Ninshuu Masato has embarked upon unifies him with those around him. Any religious missions completed with another individual count towards collaboration training with that individual equal to the posts done to complete the mission.
PassiveEffects: _β Enlightenment ___β The user is now slightly more skilled at just about everything. Striking, blocking, moving, absorbing, and taking damage. ___β The user's strength and fortitude is increased heavily. _β Shooter Stance ___β Any techniques from this Style gain a mild strength boost per mastered stage if used while in this stance. _β Upgraded Caliber ___β When in the shooter stance, the strength of their strikes is increased moderately instead of mildly. _β Magnum ___β Grants a slight striking speed increase per mastered stage of this style. _β Designated Marksman ___β Allows offensive techniques to be Complex, sending dense chakra orbs from their fists to extend their impacting range as well as allowing them to now "punch" ninjutsu. The chakra orbs will hit with 2x the strength of their normal punch, and travel at 2x the speed of their punch for 30 meters. _β Whirlwind Training ___β The user trains to be better suited to dealing with the shock of landing and training the muscles of their legs and arms. ___β Raises the base level of the user's speed by one descriptive rank per learned stage of this Style. ___β These descriptive ranks cannot be drained by the techniques in this Style. _β Switchblade Training ___β The user may switch directions when landing a flip, allowing for one to flip backwards and then forwards and vice versa without a moment's hesitation. ___β May use up to one technique per post that would lower the descriptive ranks affecting their speed without suffering that reduction. _β Perfecting Balance ___β Balance and endurance are increased, allowing them to run faster than the average person without losing their balance. ___β Every Soft Physical Formless technique used confers one descriptive rank of speed to the user for the duration of the fight. ___β Attempts to throw the user off-balance that are of a lower rank than the userβs highest trained rank in the Soft Physical Formless Style automatically fail to do so. _β Advanced Whirlwind Training ___β The userβs reflexes gain any and all bonuses afforded to their speed. _β Manriki Burabura [ Weighted Swing ] ___β Simple techniques in this Style and related Formless techniques are treated as Complex. _β Kikkyo [ Diligence ] ___β The maximum speed for all techniques in this Style at one rank lower than the highest trained rank of the practitionerβs Hard Physical Formless Style. _β Oni no Nigiri [ Ogre's Grip ] ___β The user needs only a single hand to wield their massive weapon. When wielding it with two hands, techniques from this Style that consume an extra activation when used above the user's body rank do not do so. _β Bounetsu no Jutsu [ Flame-Resistance Technique ] ___βProtects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand increasing amounts of heat. _β Teikou no Kuntou [ Electrical Resistance Training ] ___β Protects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand mild currents. _β Botany Journeyman ___β -1 post to the D - Rank and the A - Rank missions. _β Sage of Ninshuu ___β -2 posts to the A - Rank and the S - Rank missions. ___β Converts the S - Rank mission's Korabo effects to combine chakra and stamina pools together for all linked persons forever. ___β Reduces ability to Kai out of genjutsu by 1 rank and raises chakra cost of Kai by an additional rank. ___β Genjutsu affects all that are sharing. _β ANBU Shadow | Tactician ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β By Concentrating, Tactician can gain information of one known technique per post of concentration automatically draining A Rank chakra/ stamina. ___β Can alter origin point of projectile techniques by 3 meters per rank [ 12 meters ] _β Doctor | Emergency Specialist ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β May retrain techniques to decrease sustainment cost to E Rank minimum.
__ Masato's resolve remained... mostly intact. Sandayu wanted nothing more than to believe in his brother's strength, but he had learned not to trust in anyone's strength but his own. 'Yes... only time will tell.' Putting that aside, Sandayu observed display of focused destructive forces so easily exerted by Masato. The ocean gave way to his might and returned to its resting form soon after Masato finished giving his answer. It was an undeniably great display of power on his part, much like how he had laid waste to Takumi's creature made manifest. Sandayu had no doubt in Masato's power; he was only concerned for his ability to fully and properly wield it. He nodded slightly as his attention refocused on his brother, "Hm... control and destruction. Yes, those are defining aspects of power. Surely you know of names which Power bears?" This was just another rhetorical question postured before Sanda saved his brother the effort and time by elaborating, "Control. Destruction. Creation. Knowledge. Dominance. Wisdom. Resources. Time." He counted these eight on his fingers but ended up shrugging his own list off, "Honestly, there are as many types of power as you could imagine. Power is what shapes everything that exists. Power determines what is brought to fortune or lead to ruin. Only through mastering your strength and reinforcing it with your passion will you be able to control your power or use it to influence the other powers of the world." This was sure to be a lot for Masato to soak in this time too but, as with the other lessons, the goal was to broaden his horizons. "Any questions?" He'd give his brother this time to ask anything about everything they'd talked about so far.
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His brother asked the names of power. The phrasing was strange to Masato. Control. Destruction. Creation. Knowledge. Dominance. Wisdom. Resources. Time. Those were the things Sandayu listed off that Masato would commit to heart. These things were the eight paths of power. He meditated on these thoughts. He felt confident that he understood his brother's teachings. When his brother asked if he had more questions, Masato shook his head. " No brother. Continue with the lesson. " He was increasingly interested in the development he would be undergoing. Learning to assert his power over others in order to gain dominance over them was victory in his eyes. He craved victory after so many shameful losses lately. It was time to evolve.
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_β [ S+ Rank ] Moeru TamashΔ« [ Burning Soul ] ____β Masato uses his elemental affinity for fire to turn it inward on himself rather than striking out at opponents. Increasing his body temperature to burn away the remaining fats in his body and increase his physical abilities. Additionally, the increase in temperature tempers his muscles and loosens them for their maximum usage. When this is performed, Masato's reflexes, strength and speed are supremely increased while contacting his body physically causes scalding third degree burns and leave painful blisters. This temperature may be sustained for six posts before it is released harmlessly around the user. _β [ Null Rank ] Kaimon [ Gate of Opening ] ____β Once the user has trained to access the first gate, they may begin training in the first "move" within the Eight Celestial Gates formation. The effects of the first gate itself are not all that extreme in that they provide the user with a moderate increase to their strength, speed, and reflexes. Once the effects of the first gate wear off the user experiences moderate pain from hyper activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This pain forces them to lose 1 activation due to the pain. _β [ B Rank ] Shotgun Fist ____β The user flows chakra into their fist, allowing it to form a dense orb around the fist. Shifting with all of their weight and power the user throws a punch, allowing 6 of these fist-sized chakra orbs to fly off like projectiles. Due to the lack of mass to the chakra orbs, they fly at a greatly increased speed, roughly 3x the speed of the user's punch impacting at the strength of a twice the user's punch. These orbs can travel thirty meters before dissipating. Due to the versatility of strike, the user can impact one person with multiple targets, or impact up to three people so long as their are in one direction from the user.
_β β’ Berserker Discipline _β :Your external training and devotion to taijutsu has allowed you to have moderately increased Strength and Fortitude. _β Your hardened body allows you to mitigate the pain/status effect of an incoming attack for two post per body rank, allowing you to continue the fight until the pain or hazards settle in. _βFurthermore, if lethal damage is suffered then the delaying ability will be nullified for that effect. β’ Brawler Discipline _βYour Speed and Reflexes are moderately enhanced. _β You gain an additional 2 ninjutsu slots per rank. β’ Taijutsu Specialization _β Start with an additional Taijutsu _β All Locked Formless are treated as Complex for interactions with other techniques. β’ "The Good Host" PA x2 _β Implant Chakra Cost Requirements Γ· 2 β’ "Masato Smash" PA _β Masato gains an additional Taijutsu Style. β’ "Adaptive Nature" PA _β Masato gains an additional 2 Custom Slots β’ "Melee Prodigy" PA _β While the eyes of the user are active, every other rank of the eyes (1 tomoe, 3 tomoe, eternal), a slight reflex boost is conferred. β’ "Unity of Ninshuu" PA _β The study of Ninshuu Masato has embarked upon unifies him with those around him. Any religious missions completed with another individual count towards collaboration training with that individual equal to the posts done to complete the mission.
PassiveEffects: _β Enlightenment ___β The user is now slightly more skilled at just about everything. Striking, blocking, moving, absorbing, and taking damage. ___β The user's strength and fortitude is increased heavily. _β Shooter Stance ___β Any techniques from this Style gain a mild strength boost per mastered stage if used while in this stance. _β Upgraded Caliber ___β When in the shooter stance, the strength of their strikes is increased moderately instead of mildly. _β Magnum ___β Grants a slight striking speed increase per mastered stage of this style. _β Designated Marksman ___β Allows offensive techniques to be Complex, sending dense chakra orbs from their fists to extend their impacting range as well as allowing them to now "punch" ninjutsu. The chakra orbs will hit with 2x the strength of their normal punch, and travel at 2x the speed of their punch for 30 meters. _β Whirlwind Training ___β The user trains to be better suited to dealing with the shock of landing and training the muscles of their legs and arms. ___β Raises the base level of the user's speed by one descriptive rank per learned stage of this Style. ___β These descriptive ranks cannot be drained by the techniques in this Style. _β Switchblade Training ___β The user may switch directions when landing a flip, allowing for one to flip backwards and then forwards and vice versa without a moment's hesitation. ___β May use up to one technique per post that would lower the descriptive ranks affecting their speed without suffering that reduction. _β Perfecting Balance ___β Balance and endurance are increased, allowing them to run faster than the average person without losing their balance. ___β Every Soft Physical Formless technique used confers one descriptive rank of speed to the user for the duration of the fight. ___β Attempts to throw the user off-balance that are of a lower rank than the userβs highest trained rank in the Soft Physical Formless Style automatically fail to do so. _β Advanced Whirlwind Training ___β The userβs reflexes gain any and all bonuses afforded to their speed. _β Manriki Burabura [ Weighted Swing ] ___β Simple techniques in this Style and related Formless techniques are treated as Complex. _β Kikkyo [ Diligence ] ___β The maximum speed for all techniques in this Style at one rank lower than the highest trained rank of the practitionerβs Hard Physical Formless Style. _β Oni no Nigiri [ Ogre's Grip ] ___β The user needs only a single hand to wield their massive weapon. When wielding it with two hands, techniques from this Style that consume an extra activation when used above the user's body rank do not do so. _β Bounetsu no Jutsu [ Flame-Resistance Technique ] ___βProtects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand increasing amounts of heat. _β Teikou no Kuntou [ Electrical Resistance Training ] ___β Protects the user from damaging themselves with their own techniques and is able to withstand mild currents. _β Botany Journeyman ___β -1 post to the D - Rank and the A - Rank missions. _β Sage of Ninshuu ___β -2 posts to the A - Rank and the S - Rank missions. ___β Converts the S - Rank mission's Korabo effects to combine chakra and stamina pools together for all linked persons forever. ___β Reduces ability to Kai out of genjutsu by 1 rank and raises chakra cost of Kai by an additional rank. ___β Genjutsu affects all that are sharing. _β ANBU Shadow | Tactician ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β By Concentrating, Tactician can gain information of one known technique per post of concentration automatically draining A Rank chakra/ stamina. ___β Can alter origin point of projectile techniques by 3 meters per rank [ 12 meters ] _β Doctor | Emergency Specialist ___β -1 post to the D - Rank, the A - Rank, and -2 to the S - Rank missions. ___β May retrain techniques to decrease sustainment cost to E Rank minimum.
A flash of light, brief but powerful, along with a scorching wave of heat would be the announcement of Belamos's arrival. He stood 20 meters away from them in the middle of a blackened ring of rocks and bare earth. Staring at the two rogues before him, Sandayu would likely notice the dramatic shift in Belamos's eyes- they were now a deep red encircled in Golden Rings. It gave them quite an unsettling appearance, especially when they were looking dead at you. His gaze shifted to Masato, and his eyes narrowed. His mouth flattening out in a frown, he spoke "That explains it..." He said, now looking at the pair together "You're family" The similar dojutsu and appearance was a dead giveaway. It would take a fool to not notice the resemblance. Without waiting for an answer to his statement, Belamos pressed on "What do you want, Sandayu?" He asked bluntly. He was not here to mince words- there was much to be discussed and best to get right to it. However, the fact that he was not addressign Masato nor expresing anger over his recent attack on his village was, unquestionably, odd. Belamos had his reasons of course, but he prefered to keep his cards close to the vest around this boy.
β Pyros Aegis- Active ( S Rank ) β β β β
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 9:35 pm
__ Sandayu nearly continued the lesson as his brother requested until a ping showed up in range of his Byakugan's awareness. "It's about time..." He muttered with a tinge of impatience. Kagami was able to zip from the Land of Storms back to the institute nearly as fast as he could travel with his space-time manipulation powers, yet it took that damnable messenger bird forever in comparison to bring Belamos here. "The last lesson will have to wait, brother." Unwavering, Sandayu gave all attention Belamos was due throughout his arrival and let him come to his own realizations about himself and his brother. "Welcome, Belamos." Sandayu wasn't a fan of the distance between him and the one he called here to talk with so he simply closed the distance by about ten meters. He then offered the man a respectful but brief bow of the head before speaking, "Yes, this is my brother. I believe you two met not long ago?" Masato could introduce himself if he saw fit. "Don't mind him, though; he isn't here for our meeting." Knowing his brother, Masato wouldn't much care to interact with Belamos and Sanda suspected it would only result in the two hotheads clashing instead of him getting any business done. "Speaking of family- I hope none were caught up in that business at your gates with the Rokubi." He recalled that Masato's partner stopped him from causing any worthwhile damage to Arashigakure so he wouldn't mention the gates' destruction. "Anyway. I'm sure you understand my warning addressed to you." He was of course referring to the matter of destiny approaching the storm. Sandayu assumed a parade rest posture with his feet firmly rested in the sand at shoulder's length and his hand neatly folded into each other behind his back. "You helped me, so I felt it was only fair to warn you." Regardless of how Belamos felt on that matter, Sandayu was determined that his debt to this man was paid with the inevitable conclusion of this conversation. However, he was still wondering if it might be possible to make use of Belamos instead of letting him unfortunately linger in the enemy's camp.
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Sandayu seemed respectful- pleasant even. This was a far cry from the moody teenager he had come into contact with not long ago. Belamos kept his arms crossed in front of his chest eyeing the two like they might spring a trap any minute. When Sandayu indicated his brother and told Belamos to pay him no mind, he shifted his gaze to Masato, and held it while he spoke his next words "But he is here, Sandayu, and it is only fitting that he knows what he did" Shifting his attention back to the both of them he continued "That attack took the life of my wife, along with dozens of other innocents" He knew that Kogarashi was involved in the attack. That ranting Scottsman had seen to it everyone knew who he was and where he had come from. Every fiber of his being wanted to lash out- incinerate the both of them right here. Find that Blue-Haired woman and turn her to ash before making the Whirlpool Village into a smoldering crater. Yet, despite that, he did not. The words of Aurelia, Vivian, and Mirian rang in his head. Their constant messages of peace and forgiveness soothing him, keeping him level.
Belamos inhaled deeply, letting the anger go before exhaling "I...thank you for your warning. Unfortunately, Sandayu, you know as well as I do that I cannot let you have your way. It would mean the death's of thousands and a world of war renewed. That cannot happen" Letting his arms dropped to his side, Belamos's face seemed to soften a bit. He hesitated before speaking again, as if he were still unsure of what he wanted to say "But it doesn't have to be this way...you haven't done anything that cannot be undone...neither of you have. You can feel the emotion of pain, the loss, and not be consumed by vengeance. Peace can exist" It was a conflict of ideaologies- with Belamos understanding the viewpoint of the other extremely well. It was one he had lived himself for many years, one that had brought him ocean's of blood and yet no satisfaction. Now, as the one who must hold back the tide of another's vengance he hoped to stop the conflict before it ever got to that point.
The fate of a war rested on the words exchanged between two men on a beach.
β Pyros Aegis- Active ( S Rank ) β β β β
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 10:53 pm
__ The neutrality in Sandayu's expression degraded slightly when an accusation was slung past him toward Masato. He didn't not expect as much, nor could he say he was surprised the peace-broken man would still suggest an alternative to the vengeance which he was determined to claim. Belamos was certainly choosing his words carefully, which made this seem harder to be on the receiving end of in the first place. The challenge toward his passion and the suggested denial of his victory was... simply put, infuriating. However, Sanda's tone remained true to the stoicism that he began this conversation with. He turned his head to back over his shoulder to exchanged glances with his brother. A subtle smirk was given as sort of I told you so tell, alerting his "pupil" that this was an example to be noted. That smirk vanished immediately when he returned his attention to Belamos shortly afterward.
Sandayu took a deep breath to center himself and recited a piece of the Code as if Belamos would know of it, "Peace is a lie, Belamos. From what I saw..." He shifted his right hand around from behind his back to point to his eye on the same side, "You're giving him far too much credit. He failed to control himself, and failed to do what he was told even then." Truly, it was a pity that more of Arashigakure was not made to intimately understand the Kyubi's strength that day. However, he wouldn't express that wish since he'd fulfill it with his own hands in due time. Sandayu lowered his hand to now rest at his side. "It's incredible to me that you practically guaranteed we'd fight to either of our last breaths if I put your loved ones in harm's way before..." He paused for a breath and to shake his head as a show of disappointment, "Yet... someone you claim to be the reason for your wife's death stands just past me and you suggest forgiveness?" He'd get back to the matter of Arashigakure soon. "Is there anyone else you love that you can so easily give to the afterlife?" Sandayu was honestly annoyed that this man could portray himself as a protector and yet eased himself in this situation.
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It was Belamos's turn to shake his head now. Sandayu just did not understand- he was so far down the rabbit hole of hatred that the only way he saw out was to keep digging down until he popped out on the other side. But, still, Belamos had hope for him yet. They were too similar for him not to. "And I hold true to what I said Sandayu. If you try to follow through on your goals I will stop you...but I do not want to have to. It is not because of your strength of body but your strength of will. You have the potential to be a greater man than I could ever live to be" He gestured to Masato as well, continuing "I was there when he struck out. He seemed remorseful, surrendered even. I am not sure what happened, but I do not believe this man is the killer you make him out to be" Turning now, he faced the source of his Village's latest and greatest attack "Tsuki would not want a war, would not want vengence. So, for what I can forgive, I do" He ended his remarks to Masato with a nodded before shifting his attention back to Sandayu "Violence begets violence. Emotions have their place in life, they are key to our humanity, but letting yourself be overwhelmed by any of them is dangerous. I know you seek revenge for the destruction of your people, and you can have it. I will help you bring the Daiyamo to justice for such an atrocity" He took a deep breath, recalling the words his father, the God Utu, had spoken to him so long ago "Utu once told me "Leaders walk the path and so the world follows." Life, death, chaos and order- everything has it's balance. Death cannot be answered with more of the same. This, I believe"
